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Kenzi Christensen
Miss Nye
English 10
2 June 2014
We Are All The Same
Awuh she is beautiful! The words your grandma says when she sees you for
the first time after you are born. When parents and families first lay their eyes on their
children all they see is perfection. Most of the time a baby is born in perfect health with
no complications, unfortunately for some families the day their baby is born is the day
their life becomes a challenge and they need to learn how to live with new
complications. Having a newborn is already a big responsibility but when a family has a
child with special needs they have 10x more work. For those families they will have to
adapt to certain routines that other families would normally not have too.
If I walked up to someone and asked how much they know about Down
Syndrome they would probably only be able to tell me a couple things. The top answer
they would be able to give is that Down Syndrome has to do with your chromosomes,
which is correct but there is a lot more involved than you would think. Down Syndrome
first occurs when there is a full or partial extra copy of chromosome 21, this alters
genetics to cause the syndrome. (Down Syndrome Facts) There are actually three
different types of Down Syndrome, Trisomy 21 consumes 95% of cases, Translocation
is about 4% and Mosaicism is roughly 1%. (Down Syndrome Facts) One in every 691
babies in the United States is born with

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Down Syndrome. (Down Syndrome Facts)

One of the reasons that Down Syndrome is possible is because of the increasing
age of the mother. But with younger women having higher fertility rates, 80% of
children born with Down Syndrome have a mother under the age of 35. (Down
Syndrome Facts) Later in life people living with Downs have increased risks for medical
conditions. The top conditions are congenital heart defects, respiratory and hearing
issues, Alzheimers, childhood Leukemia and thyroid conditions. All though most of
these conditions are treatable now there are some that still are not and have life
threatening risk factors. In 1983 the life expectancy for someone with Downs was 25,
now that number has increased dramatically to 60 over the recent decades.
When we think about our daily routine what do you think of? Getting up in the
morning, showering, getting dressed, eating breakfast, brushing your teeth and leaving
for school or work. August 11th, 1979 Tryn Miller was born and diagnosed with Down
Syndrome. Throughout her childhood she traveled from various places including
Germany as a baby for cell therapy injections, due to the extra chromosomes in her
body. When reading Tryn Millers everyday struggles I finally realized how fortunate I
am to have my health. She starts with telling her story the day she was born, how
doctors diagnosed her in
the hospital and how Tryn had to travel to various places for cell therapy injections due
to her extra chromosomes. Growing up with this syndrome had and still does have
challenges. I did not live a normal life. (Miller)


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Down Syndrome does come with some deformities such as short stature, low
muscle tone, upward slant to the eyes and a single deep crease across the center of
their palm. Every person with this syndrome has different degrees of these
characteristics or show none at all. Because of these characteristics others find them as
a way to make fun of people living with Downs, Tryn said When I was young and
growing up I was the one who got bullied. I still get bullied and made fun of just because
I look different than other people having Down Syndrome! (Miller)
All people living with Down Syndrome experience cognitive delays, but the effect
is usually mild to moderate and is not indicative of the many strengths and talents that
each individual possesses. (Down Syndrome Facts) Every person in this world deals
with their own problems and everyday struggles, we all have strengths and
weaknesses, talents and hobbies. So why do we as a society look at them as different
or lower than us? If you realized someone was making fun of you as you walked by,
naturally your feelings would be hurt. Well, its the same for someone with Downs,
sometimes being bullied is a day to day routine and challenge. As much as someone
would think they are different they are exactly the same as you and I. We share the
same likes, dislikes, interests and dreams.
Not all of these thoughts always flow through a parents head when their baby is
born, all they care about is that their child is here in this world finally and that they will
deal with the crossroads when they reach that point. Quality educational programs, a
stimulating home environment, good health care and positive support from family,
friends and the community enable people with Down Syndrome to develop their full
potential and lead fulfilling lives.

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(Down Syndrome Facts)
Works Cited
"Down Syndrome Facts." - National Down Syndrome Society. Web. 20 May 2014.
<http://www.ndss.org/Down-Syndrome/Down-Syndrome-Facts/>.
"Patheos Blogs." Patheos Blogs. Web. 21 May 2014. <http://www.patheos.com/blogs>.